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Jesse Eisenberg Describes His Lex Luthor As A More Modern, Psychologically Realistic Concept

By Russ Burlingame - February 11, 2016

(Photo: Warner Bros.)

During a recent interview with Playboy, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice baddie Jesse Eisenberg discussed his take on Lex Luthor, and what it's like to play a villain who has to single-handedly (ish) take on some of DC Comics's biggest icons in the midst of a major comic book movie renaissance.

Along the way, the article dealt with the inherent contradictions of playing a character who's been reimagined dozens of times in a number of media over the years.

“The character is in line with what audiences want to see now, which is a more modern, psychologically realistic concept of Lex Luthor," Eisenberg said. "His motivations are multifaceted; he has a way of using language that’s specific to the way his mind works; he struggles with interesting philosophical dilemmas like that of the individual having too much power, even if that individual is using that power for good. For instance, Superman has so far been using his powers to do some good, but is it safe to have someone like that walking the streets? It’s great that all of this happens in the context of a very exciting superhero movie.”

He had plenty more to say about the role -- and acting as a craft -- at the interview, which you can read here (obviously, the Playboy site is not safe for work).

Fearing the actions of a god-like Super Hero left unchecked, Gotham City’s own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis’s most revered, modern-day savior, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs. And with Batman and Superman at war with one another, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it’s ever known before.